Are You Craving the Taste of Lakeville?

The 11th annual Taste of Lakeville is Thursday. Are you ready?

Empty tents stood prepared for vendors and patrons on the grounds of the Lakeville Area Arts Center on Tuesday morning.

By Thursday afternoon, those tents will be staffed and stocked to serve the couple thousand residents expected to attend the community celebration.

Below is a primer for what you need to know to attend the event. Information for this primer is from the Taste of Lakeville website. 

WHAT IS THE TASTE OF LAKEVILLE: The Taste of Lakeville is the primary fund-raising event for the Lakeville Rotary Club. It is a community celebration where local restaurants, caterers and fine beverage purveyors get together for one magical evening and offer attendees the opportunity to sample, taste, sip and devour the rich culinary treats our wonderful town has to offer. Proceeds from this event and many of the club's activities go to support a variety of important local and regional initiatives like scholarships, community action, food shelves, parks and many more.

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 16

WHERE: Lakeville Area Arts Center

WHO CAN ATTEND: People must be at least 21 years of age to attend. Proof of age will be required at the time of admission to the event. Tickets are $30 (advanced purchase) or $40 (at the door Cash Only) day of event.

WHERE TO GET TICKETS: Retail locations for tickets include CVS Pharmacy, Cedar and Dodd; CVS Pharmacy, Highway 50; Erickson’s Ben Franklin; Walgreen’s, Cedar and County Road 46); Walgreen’s, Kenwood Trail; and Lakeville Area Arts Center. Tickets also are available online (by clicking here). Contact Randy Sparling at 612-373-8425 or rsparling@felhaber.com, with questions.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
• 5 p.m. — Gates open
• 5-9 p.m. — Vienna (South Stage)
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Dweebs (North Stage)
• 5:45-8 p.m. — Michael Loonan (Center Stage, Inside Arts Center)
• 7:30 p.m.  — Live Auction by Auctioneer Brent Lawrence (North Stage)
• 8-8:30 p.m.  — The Dweebs (North Stage)
• 8:15 p.m.  — Silent Auction Closes
• 8:30 p.m.  — "Wall of Wine" and "Wall of Beer/Divine Swine Catering Party" Drawing
• 8:30 p.m. — People's Choice, Best Food, and Best Tent Awards
• 8:40-9 p.m. —The Dweebs  (North Stage) 
• 9 p.m. - Announcements  (Emcee - Dave Oswald)
Note: Announcements will be made at all stages during the event.

FOOD VENDORS: Baker's Square, Brackett's Crossing Country Club, Buffalo Wild Wings, Caribou, Carbone’s Pizza, Casa Nostra, Chart House, Cooper River Fish and Chop House, Crystal Lake Golf, Culvers, D.Fong’s, Divine Swine, Enjoy!, Farmington Bakery, Green Mill, Jimmy John’s, Kingsley Shores, Legends, Mediterranean Cruise, Morgans, Porterhouse Steak and Seafood, Rascals, Roasted Pear, Rudy’s Redeye Grill, Sam’s Club, Target, Valley Natural Foods, Valley Tap House, Wolley’s Steakhouse and Seafood

BEVERAGE VENDORS: August Schell Brewing, Bacardi, Cold Spring, College City Beverage, JJ Taylor, Kahlua, Lakeville Liquors, Summit Brewing

AUCTION: A live auction will take place at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage, and a silent auction at the Lakeville Area Arts Center will be open until 8:15 p.m. Click here for a list of auction items.

MORE INFORMATION: Click here to go to the Taste of Lakeville website.

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE ON PATCH
Click on the headlines below to learn more about the Taste of Lakeville:

• 'Taste of Lakeville' Preview: Start Salivating Now (VIDEO) (April 2013)
• 'Taste of Lakeville' is as Tasty as it Gets (May 2012)
• PHOTOS: I'd like just a Taste ... of Lakeville; Gallery 1 (May 2012)
• PHOTOS: I'd like just a Taste ... of Lakeville; Gallery 2 (May 2012)
• PHOTOS: I'd like just a Taste ... of Lakeville; Gallery 3 (May 2012)
• PHOTOS: I'd like just a Taste ... of Lakeville; Gallery 4 (May 2012)
• PHOTOS: I'd like just a Taste ... of Lakeville; Gallery 5 (May 2012)
• PHOTOS: I'd like just a Taste ... of Lakeville; Gallery 6 (May 2012)
• 'Taste of Lakeville' Getting Tastier (May 2011)
•  (May 2011)